THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 
VNIVERSITYOF  ILLINOIS 


^^C/ivcjNNATI 


•1= 


PHILOMATHIC  PRIZE  POEM, 


I 


THE 


satsa  (S)3<  a!l!i£?S!S2A. 

A 

POETIC  REVERIE. 


For  Nature  there,  since  first  her  opening  eye 
Hailed  the  bright  orb  her  Father  hung  on  high. 
Still,  on  her  bosom  wears  the  enamelled  vest. 
That  bloomed  and  budded  on  her  infant  breast. 

PlERPONT. 


cmciJsrjsr^Ti: 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE  PHILOMATHIC  SOCIETY, 

Looker  & Reynolds^  Printers, 

1823.  . 


■.  S 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
^ in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/museofhesperiaspOOpeir 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


IN  November,  1821,  the  Philomathic  Society, 
of  Cincinnati  College^  offered,  by  public  advertise- 
ment, a Gold  Medal,  of  the  value  of  fifty  dollars,  for 
the  best  Poem  that  should  be  written  for  the  occa- 
sion, by  a citizen  of  the  Western  country.  In  rela- 
tion to  the  length  and  subject  of  the  Poem,  these 
restrictions  were  imposed: — that  it  should  consist 
of  not  less  than  400  lines ; and  that  whatever  natu- 
ral scenery,  historical  incidents  or  existing  institu- 
tions might  be  commemorated,  should  be  of  a West- 
ern character.  By  the  first  of  April,  1822,  (the  pe- 
riod at  which  candidates  were  to  send  their  perfor- 
mances,) twelve  Poems  were  received  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Society.  On  the  report  of  a committee, 
to  whom  the  decision  was  referred,  the  Medal  was 
awarded  to  the  “ Muse  of  Hesperia,”  the  author 
of  which,  as  was  ascertained  on  opening  the  envelop 
accompanying  the  Poem,  has  declined  ever  ma- 
king himself  known  to  the  Society,  so  as  to  receive 
the  Medal.  His  residence  was  not  stated,  but  from 
many  circumstances  it  is  inferred  that  he  is  a citi- 
zen of  Cincinnati. 


367400 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


VI 


Some  of  the  other  performances  contained  pas- 
sages of  considerable  merit,  which  have  already 
been  given  to  the  public  in  a different  form.  “ The 
Banks  of  Ohiof  by  a Lady  of  Madison,  Indiana,  was 
adjudged  next  in  merit,  to  the  ^‘Muse  of  Hesperia.” 

The  author  has  evidently  imposed  severe  restric- 
tions on  the  full  flow  of  his  sentiments,  and  the  ex- 
cursive flights  of  his  fancy,  by  adopting  a stanza  of 
such  difficult  construction, — which  is  better  calcu- 
lated for  the  Ode,  than  for  poems  of  any  length. 
That  introduced  by  Spenser  in  his  ‘Faery  Queene,’ 
and  so  successfully  employed  by  Beattie,  Byron, 
and  others,  at  later  periods  of  time,  is  perhaps  bet- 
ter calculated  than  any  other,  for  the  conveyance 
of  serious  and  dignified  sentiments.  Though  after 
all,  the  common  heroic  measure  may  be  considered 
still  preferable.  Had  the  author  adopted  either 
of  these,  he  would  have  rendered  his  production 
less  ambiguous  in  some,  and  more  interesting  in  all 
parts,  to  the  reader. 

The  Society  do  not  give  this  as  the  best  exhibi- 
tion of  poetic  talent  in  the  West,  but  as  the  best 
that  was  submitted  to  their  judgment;  which,  by  an 
original  stipulation  of  the  advertisement,  they  are 
required  to  publish.  In  complying  with  this  stipu- 
lation, they  have  been  careful  to  procure  the  best 
mechanical  execution  of  the  work  that  was  within 
their  reach;  and  in  doing  so,  they  conceive  they 
are  absolved  from  every  duty  they  owed  to  them- 
selves, the  author  and  the  public. 


;..■  " ■,^:,l'  f-  , ' '.'  ^ 


■ V 


THE 


1. 

’TWAS  eve:  the  sun  had  sunk  to  rest 
Beneath  a hill’s  aspiring  crest; 

But  still  the  gush 

Of  changeful  light  illumed  the  skies, 

And  tinged  the  clouds  with  varying  dyes. 
Till  faded  from  our  eager  eyes 

Its  latest  blush. 

IL 

’Twas  eve:  the  hum  of  city-crowd — 

Now  faint  and  weak,  now  clear  and  loud; 

The  low  of  kine; 

The  bleat  of  sheep  on  neighbouring  plains; 
The  milk-maid’s  song  of  love-lorn  swains; 
The  cow-boy’s  still  more  rustic  strains ; 

At  once  combine. 

B 


10 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


III. 

’Twas  eve:  the  streams  and  groves  along 
The  Whip-poor-will  poured  forth  his  song 
In  descant  shrill ; 

And  night’s  more  solitary  bird 

His  hoarse  and  boding  song  preferred; 

While  ever  and  anon  was  heard 

Some  distant  rill. 

IV. 

’Twas  eve:  in  woodlands  dark  and  damp 
The  glow-worm  lit  his  emerald  lamp ; 

While  to  and  fro 

The  %re-flies  darted  quick  and  bright, 

As  if  the  countless  stars  of  night 
Had  left  their  empyrean  height 

To  sport  below. 

V. 

’Twas  eve:  the  toils  of  daytime  o’er, 

I strolled  along  Ohio’s  shore, 

Where  yonder  vale 
Meanders  through  a hundred  hills, 

F rom  whose  high  tops  transparent  rills 
Rush  boldly  down ; while  music  fills 
The  evening  gale. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


li 


VL 

There,  on  the  grassy  shore,  a grove, 

Sacred  to  Solitude  and  Love, 

Spread  wide  around; 

The  moonbeams  through  the  foliage  played 
In  changeful  fits  of  light  and  shade; 

I trembled — paused — for  lo!  I strayed 
On  fairy  ground. 

VII. 

Now  calm  and  calmer  stirred  the  breeze, 
Till  not  a zephyr  fanned  the  trees: 

So  wildly  sweet — 

So  still — so  awful — so  profound — 

The  breathless  solitude  around, 

That  e’en  distinctly  seemed  to  sound 
The  pulse’s  beat. 

VIII. 

Sudden,  within  this  fairy  ring, 

Where  Silence  moved  on  silken  wing, 

F rom  harps  of  heaven 
Burst  the  full  songs  of  seraph-choirs, 

As  angel-fingers  touched  the  lyres, 

And  Music  breathed  with  all  the  fires 
To  poets  given. 


IS  MUSE  OF  HESPEEIA. 

IX. 

When  lo!  from  heaven’s  etherial  height, 
Encompassed  by  a sheet  of  light, 

A spirit — fair 

As  ever  poet’s  fancy  drew — 

On  viewless  pinions  downward  flew. 

And,  hovering  full  before  my  view, 

Alighted  there. 

X. 

Against  a harp  her  head  reclined, 

Around  her  brows  the  laurel  twined; 

— This  Angel-form 
Through  me,  her  idle  son,  addressed — 

My  brother  Poets  of  the  West! 

— With  noble  air,  this  firm  behest 

In  language  warm. 

XI. 

Know,  youthful  Bards ; — for  scarcely  yet 
Pieria’s  waves  your  lips  have  wet, 

And  scarce  a wing 

Have  you  stretched  forth  in  life’s  gay  prime 
To  reach  Parnassus’  height  sublime, 

And  scarce  essayed  in  polished  rhyme 
Its  charms  to  sing; 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


13 


XIL 

— “Know,  youthful  Bards,  to  me  belong 
The  realms  of  Genius  and  of  Song: 

—Who  can  refuse 
At  objects  great  and  good  to  aim, 

On  Glory’s  page  to  write  his  name, 

And  follow  on  to  deathless  fame 

Hesperia’s  Muse? 

XIIL 

“Know,  youthful  Bards,  to  me  are  given 
Ten  thousand  airs  from  earth  and  heaven; 

— F rom  infant  hours 
A pupil  of  the  sacred  Nine, 

Reared  by  Apollo’s  hand  divine. 

The  soul  of  Harmony  is  mine, 

And  Music’s  powers. 

XIV. 

“ O’er  stream,  and  wood,  and  grove,  and  lawn 
As  Night’s  dim  curtain  now  is  drawn, 

My  object  here — 

Bards  of  the  West!  is  to  inspire 
Your  zeal  to  wake  the  slumbering  lyre 
And  reach,  on  classic  wings,  a higher 
And  nobler  sphere. 


14 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XV. 

“Shall  none  but  Europe’s  favourite  Bards 
Receive  the  rich  and  high  rewards 
To  merit  due? 

Shall  Byron,  Southey,  Scott,  and  Moore, 
Whom  countless  thousands  half  adore,  f 
To  heights  sublime  of  genius  soar, 

Unreached  by  you? 

XVI. 

“ And  shall  our  Eastern  Poets  claim 
An  immortality  of  fame. 

And  they  alone? 

Shall  Pierpont,  Percival,  and  Neal 
Apollo’s  warmest  breathings  feel, 

And  all  his  secret  thoughts  reveal — 

To  you  unknown? 

XVII. 

“No — spurn  the  thought!  Be  yours  the  pride 
To  rise  in  fame  o’er  all  beside: 

. For  on  your  view 
Sublimer,  bolder  objects  throng 
To  court  a loftier,  nobler  song; 

And  glorious  deeds  of  arms  belong 
Not  less  to  you. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


15 


XVIIL 

‘^Have  you  not  Jackson? — cast  your  eyes 
Where  Orleans’  orange  groves  arise — 

And  see  the  foe 

By  thousands  fall  amid  the  fight, 

Or  save  themselves  by  rapid  flight ; 

While  he  bestows  in  valour’s  might 
The  final  blow. 

XIX. 

‘^Have  you  not  Perry? — Erie’s  wave 
Beheld  his  triumph  o’er  the  brave, 

As,  far  and  wide. 

Like  northern  tempests  in  their  rage, 

The  hostile  fleets  at  once  engage, 

And  stain,  as  deadly  war  they  wage, 

The  lucid  tide. 

XX. 

“And  is  not  Harrison  your  own? 

The  patriot — warrior — statesman ; — known 
Wherever  Fame 

Hath  borne  the  achievements  of  the  brave? 
— Yes:  and  from  death  she  still  shall  save, 
While  Thames  rolls  on  a single  wave, 

His  honoured  name. 


16 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XXL 

And  is  not  Shelby/  too,  your  boast? 

The  veteran-sage — ‘ himself  a host’ — 
Kentucky’s  pride; 

And  Johnson,^  dauntless  in  the  field; 

And  OwEN^  brave,  who  scorned  to  yield, 
Who  with  his  blood  his  prowess  sealed, 

And  nobly  died? 

XXIL 

‘‘And  you  can  gallant  Jesup  claim, 

Who,  robed  in  glory’s  ‘sheet  of 

Victorious  fought. 

Where  loud  Niagara’s  awful  sound 
Was  in  the  tide  of  battle  drowned — 

And  gained,  with  crimsoned  laurels  crowned, 
The  fame  he  sought. 

XXIII. 

“Yours,  too,  the  young,  the  generous  Hart:^ 
— Oh,  never  did  Kentucky  part 

With  one  more  brave; 
More  prompt  to  march  in  Freedom’s  cause, 
More  zealous  to  defend  her  laws. 

Or  one  who  sunk  with  more  applause 
In  Valour’s  grave! 


MUSE  OF  HESFERIA. 


17 


XXIV. 

And  yours  the  pride  and  grief  to  tell 
How  Pike  and  Daviess^  fought  and  fell. 

Just  as  the  foe 

Were  hurrying  in  disgraceful  flight! 

— Oh,  stranger!  tread  their  green  graves  light; 
For  hearts  of  fire,  and  arms  of  might. 

Repose  below! 

XXV. 

“What  solemn  requiem  do  I hear? 

And  o’er  the  plain  on  yonder  bier 

Whose  corse  is  borne, 
Enwrapt  in  sorrow’s  sombre  shroud — 

Round  which  a legislative  crowd 
Pour  forth  their  grief  in  accents  loud, 

Or  silent  mourn? 

XXVI. 

“ ’Tis  Trimble’s®  ! — he  who  gave  support 
To  Freedom’s  cause,  when  Erie’s  fort 
Refused  to  yield 

To  British  legions  pressing  round: 

He  who — ere  yet  with  awe  profound 
Those  legions  fled — received  the  wound 
That  never  healed! 


c 


18 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XXVII. 

‘‘These — and  their  dauntless  feats  of  arms. 
Amid  the  battle’s  dire  alarms 

And  deadly  rage, 

Where  Death  triumphant  stalked  along — 
These,  these  are  subjects  fit  for  song: 

With  these — ^your  own  proud  themes — prolong 
The  Muse’s  page. 

XXVIII. 

“And  in  the  West  do  none  stand  forth 
Renowned  for  intellectual  worth — 

Who  nobly  aim 

To  win  the  wreaths  to  Genius  dear? 

And  do  no  colleges  appear, 

Where  youths  may  run  their  bright  career 
To  virtuous  fame? 

XXIX. 

“Yes — young  Ohio,  rouse  thy  pride! 

See  on  thy  far-famed  river’s  side. 

Where  to  thy  mart 
Flows  half  the  commerce  of  the  West, 

Where  wealth  and  ease  thy  sons  have  blest, 
Where  honour  rules  the  human  breast, 
Unswayed  by  art: — 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


19 


XXX. 

“ See,  where  thy  rich  emporium  spreads. 
And  rears  on  high  her  hundred  heads. 

To  public  view 
Yon  dome  in  modest  beauty  rise; 

Within  whose  walls  the  learned  and  wise. 
Like  Newton,  with  observant  eyes 

Look  nature  through, 

XXXI. 

“ And  thou,  the  birthplace  of  the  brave, 
And  promptly  generous!  who  ne’er  gave 
' . The  breath  of  life 

To  one  who  felt  no  patriot- flame 
When  foes  traduced  his  country’s  name, 
Or  who  declined  when  danger  came 
To  join  the  strife: 

XXXII. 

‘‘Yes — bold  Kentucky!  Learning’s  sun 
Darts  o’er  thy, classic  Lexington 

His  genial  beams; 

The  clouds  of  ignorance  pass  away, 
Bursts  on  the  view  a brighter  day, 

And  more  enchanting,  rich,  and  gay 
Each  object  seems. 


20 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XXXIII. 

“ Yes — at  thy  soul-inspiring  call, 

Yon  noble  scientific  Hall 

A shrine  became, 

Where  youthful  crowds,  unlearned  before, 
Kneel  at  its  altar  and  adore; 

And  quaffing  deep  of  various  lore. 

Aspire  to  fame. 

XXXIV. 

“ Shall  these  proud  fanes  that  round  us  rise, 
These  sages  whom  we  all  should  prize 
For  classic  worth — 

Shall  these  remain  unknown,  unsung — 
Concealed  the  western  wdlds  among? 

No — from  ^our  lyres  their  fame  be  flung 
O’er  all  the  earth. 

XXXV. 

‘‘Lo!  bursting  on  the  astonished  view. 

What  landscapes,  vast  and  rich  and  new, 
Are  yours  to  boast! 

What  mountains  lift  their  heads  on  high! 
What  lakes  in  boundless  prospect  lie! 

What  rivers  roll  their  volumes  by. 

To  yonder  coast! 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA, 


XXXVI. 

In  no  department  of  the  globe 
Does  Flora  wear  a richer  robe, 

Of  brighter  dyes: 
Here,  in  the  long  career  of  Time, 

Nature  still  reigns  in  youthful  prime, 

And  objects  beauteous — vast — sublime — 
Around  her  rise. 

XXXVII. 

Far  westward,  where  the  sun’s  last  rays 
Fire  the  wide  landscape  with  a blaze 
Of  dazzling  gold, 

Huge  mountains  rear  their  giant-forms 
On  high  amid  the  wintry  storms; 

And  reaching  wide  their  thousand  arms, 

A world  infold. 

XXXVIII. 

There,  seated  on  his  rocky  throne, 
Enwrapt  in  clouds — supreme,  alone — 

Where  tempests  blow, 
The  mighty  Genius  of  the  West 
Hurls  forth  his  storms:  at  his  behest 
The  thunders  rage,  or  slumbering  rest, 

To  all  below. 


as 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA- 


XXXIX. 

^"He  looks  around  with  kingly  pride: 

Far  eastward  sees,  expanded  wide, 

Vast  rivers  pour; 

Far  northward,  arctic  tempests  rave; 

Far  southward,  golden  harvests  wave; 

Far  westward,  ocean’s  billows  lave 
Columbia’s  shore. 

XL. 

How  long  the  war-whoop,  round  the  peak 
Of  these  huge  mountains  high  and  bleak. 
Responsive  rung! 

How  long  those  granite  rocks  have  stood ! 
How  long  has  roared  that  headlong  flood ! 
How  long  has  bloomed  and  died  that  wood ! 

^ — By  bards  unsung. 

XLI. 

Nor  are  their  beauties  wholly  fled 
Now  that  the  white  man’s  restless  tread 
Disturbs  the  gloom-— 

A gloom  which  swift  before  him  flies, 

As  meadows  open  to  the  skies. 

As  forests  fall,  and  cities  rise, 

And  harvests  bloom. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


33 


XLII. 

» 

“Behold,  far  north,  yon  inland  seas! 

— Now  calm,  unruffled  by  a breeze, 

They  silent  sleep ; 

Now  heave  on  high  the  mountain-surge, 
And  wave  on  wave  tremendous  urge, 

And  man  and  shattered  navies  merge 

Beneath  the  deep. 

• . 

XLIII. 

“ There,  ’mid  the  solitude  profound, 
With  boundless  forests  closed  around— 
From  age  to  age 

Untutored  red  men  plied  the  oar, 
Ferocious  wild  beasts  trod  the  shore. 

And  tempests  swept  their  bosoms  o’er 

With  boisterous  rage. 

XLIV. 

“ Anon,  their  placid,  chrystal  wave 
To  all  a faithful  mirror  gave. 

Above,  around: 

There  one  might  see  the  inverted  skies. 
See  constellations  set  and  rise — 
Enlightening  with  their  diamond-eyes 
The  vast  profound. 


24 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XLV. 

‘‘There,  unobserved  by  bard  or  sage, 

For  many  an  unrecorded  age, 

The  fairy-band, 

In  cars  of  softest  moonlight  made, 

Drove  o’er  the  deep;  or,  jocund,  played 
Where  groves  adorned  with  light  and  shade 
The  adjacent  land. 

xLvr. 

“But  softly — hark!  the  white  man’s  tread; 
And  all  the  fairy  vision ’s  fled  1 

— Lo!  on  the  sight 

Bursts  a new  scene — which  ne’er  can  fail 
To  rouse  your  pride  while  navies  sail, 

And  squadrons  o’er  the  foe  prevail 
In  equal  fight. 

XLVII. 

“ See,  far  and  wide,  ten  thousand  rills, 

Forth  issuing  from  unnumbered  hills, 

Through  vales  and  woods; 
Now  gliding  gently  from  their  source, 

Now  gathering  strength  along  their  course, 
Now  rushing  with  resistless  force 

To  kindred  floods. 


MUSE  OF  HESFERIA. 


XLVIII. 

See  in  one  channel  broad  and  deep, 

The  congregated  torrent  sweep; 

Which,  stretching  far 
O’er  many  a wide-extended  plain, 

Resolves  its  empire  to  maintain, 

And  wages  with  its  parent-main 
Eternal  war. 

XLIX. 

As  marching  on  its  course  sublime, 
Through  what  a vast  extent  of  clime 
Its  waters  glide! 

From  where  the  eastern  mountains  rise,  , 
From  those  that  meet  the  western  skies. 
From  where  the  lakes  attract  our  eyes, 

To  ocean’s  tide ! 

• L. 

To  seek  a stream  so  long  and  deep, 

That  flows  with  such  resistless  sweep,  » 
Where  turn  our  eyes? 
The  Danube,  Ganges,  Nile,  and  Rhine, 
Were  all  their  volumes  to  combine, 

This  noble  stream  would  scarce  outshine 
For  length  and  size. 

i> 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA, 


LI. 

How  long,  through  ages  past  and  gone, 

Its  waters  flowed  unheeded  on ; 

As  through  the  dark 
Unbounded  forest’s  gloomy  shade 
In  quest  of  game  the  Indian  strayed, 

Or  on  its  surface,  sportive,  played 
His  simple  bark! 

LII. 

And  still  enchantirfg’is  the  scene — 

Now  orchards,  fields,  and  meadows  green 
Are  spreading  wide ; 

Now  Art  and  Science,  hand  in  hand. 

Walk  forth;  and,  at  their  joint  command, 

^ Roads,  bridges,  cities  grace  the  land, 

. And  ships,  the  tide. 

LIII. 

“These mountains,  vallies,  lakes,  and  woods* 
These  rills  that  glide^  and  cataract-floods 
That  sweep  along — 

To  you  are  grand  and  fruitful  themes: 

Gild  these  with  Fancy’s  brightest  beams. 
And  wrap  them  in  the  wildest  dreams 
. Of  Fairy-song. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


“ For  whether  Springs  with  warmth  and  showers. 
Gives  to  the  trees  and  shrubs  and  flowers 
Another  birth; 

As  zephyrs  on  light  pinions  move, 

And  warblers  vocalize  each  grove 
With  songs  of  gratitude  and  love, 

Or  sportive  mirth: 

LV. 

“ Or  Summer  darts  his  radiance  warm,  ^ 

% 

• And  every  vegetative  form 

Is  blooming  fair; 

As  rills  and  rivers  cease  to  flow, 

As  ardent  suns  resistless  glow, 

And  breezes  scarcely  seem  to  blow — 

So  calm  the  air: 

LVI. 

“ Or  Autumn  through  the  orchard  strews. 

And  native  woods,  with  hand  profuse. 

His  ripened  fruit; 

As  Flora  captivates  your  eyes 
With  all  her  gay  and  sober  dyes. 

And  the  wild  game  in  terror  flies 

The  close  pursuit: 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


LVII. 

Or  Winter  from  his  store-house  throws 
O’er  fields  and  woods  his  fleecy  snows; 

As  his  cold  breath 
Whistles  among  the  branches  bare. 

Stills  the  sweet  songsters  of  the  air, 

And  nips  each  herb  and  flowret  fair 

With  instant  death: 

LVIII. 

“ Whether  bright  Morn  o’er  wood  and  lawn 
Spreads  the  first  blushes  of  the  dawn, 
With  rosy  hand; 

As  through  the  air  her  sweets  diffuse, 

And  from  exhaustless  mines  she  strews 
Ten  thousand  gems  of  crystal  dews 
O’er  all  the  land: 

LIX; 

Or  JVoon  sends  forth  the  sultry  hours 
To  scath  the  choicest  fruits  and  flowers; 

As  Phoebus  now 
With  undiminished  radiance  glows, 

And  no  decrease  of  fervour  knows, 

Till  Eve  her  dusky  mantle  throws 

O’er  Nature’s  brow: 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


LX. 

•‘Or  gloomy  Might  extends  o’er  all 
The  slumbering  world  her  blackest  pall; 

As  from  her  seat, 

In  ether  fixt,  she  views  the  whole — 

The  countless  orbs  that  o’er  her  roll, 

And  land  and  sea,*  from  pole  to  pole, 
Beneath  her  feet: 

LXI. 

“ Whether  abroad  the  tempest  lowers, 
The  lightnings  flash,  and  thunder  roars 

With  deafening  sound: 
Or  Nature’s  face  is  calm  and  fair, 

And  all  that  live  their  joys  declare, 

And  fragrance  through  the  balmy  air 

Is  breathing  round: — 

LXII. 

“ Nay — view  it  in  what  state  you  will— 
This  Eden  breathes  enchantment  still. 

Delighted  here 

Fays,  Sylphs,  and  Genii  oft  preside, 
Unseen  on  airy  pinions  glide, 

And  watch  and  guard  the  landscape  wide 
, Through  all  the  year. 


30 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


LXIII. 

Must  foreign  rhymers  still  succeed 
In  framing  tales  for  you  to  read? 

Can  feudal  jars 

Alone  inspire  you  with  delight — 

As  vengeful  chieftain,  squire,  and  knight 
Rush  forth,  in  massive  armor  dight, 

To  border- wars? 

LXIV. 

“ And  will  you  not  in  lofty  verse 
Feats  more  chivalric  still  rehearse? 

— The  feats  of  those 

Who,  where  his  herd  the  swain  now  leads 
O’er  plains  where  peace  to  war  succeeds — 
Met,  and  chastised  for  barbarous  deeds, 

J ^ Their  savage  foes. 

LXV. 

“You  will: — and  while  with  grief  you  tell 
The  sad  disasters  which  befel 

Your  grandsires  brave, 
Forget  not  him,  so  often  tried 
In  dangers  few  have  known  beside: 

— Go,  seek  in  frontier  forests  wide 

/ , For  Boone’s  lone  grave. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


31 


LXVI. 

“ These  are  not  all. — As  Darwin  flings 
His  fingers  o’er  the  finest  strings 

Of  Music’s  lyre; 

As  Flora’s  various  tribes  he  draws, 

Shall  he  alone  unfold  each  cause 
Of  Nature’s  attributes  and  laws. 

And  endless  gyre? 

LXVII. 

‘‘Permit  it  not.  Be  yours  the  task, 

As  in  Apollo’s  rays  you  bask, 

The  Arts  to  lead, 

And  Science,  to  your  fairy-bowers. 

To  charm  them  with  your  tuneful  powers, 
And  crown  them  with  the  choicest  flowers 
To  bards  decreed. 

LXVIII. 

“ Be  yours  the  office  to  describe 
The  blooming  belles  of  Flora’s  tribe; 

For,  hidden  here, 
Linnaeus’  self  again  might  find 
New  treasures  to  enrich  his  mind, 

To  cultivate  his  taste  refined. 

And  judgment  clear. 


3a  MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 

< LXIX. 

“ Look  through  this  pure  and  fragrant  air. 
To  note  the  volant  minstrels  there, 

As  yet  unknown; 

-The  finny  race  that  cleave  these  floods; 

That  seek  those  fens,  the  reptile-broods; 

And  beasts  that  roam  these  boundless  woods, 
So  late  their  own. 

LXX. 

‘‘  Descend  a hundred  hills  beneath J 
Where,  dark  as  night  and  still  as  death, 

' ' Yon  cave  appears; 

See  its  stalactites  displayed, 

Its  gorgeous  fanes  of  chrystals  made, 

Its  lifeless  tenant,  undecayed 

For  countless  years. 

LXXI.* 

( 

“ Sing  how  the  soil  which  now  we  tread 
Was  once  the  ocean’s  coral  bed;* 

’Till,  from  the  strife 
Of  central  fires,  an  earthquake-stroke 
Was  given — the  southern  barrier  broke; 

And  lo ! a new  creation  woke 

To  light  and  life. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


B3 


LXXII. 

‘‘  How  then,  these  vallies  wide  along, 

From  northern  lakes  the  currents  strong, 

In  eddying  coil. 

Rushed  southward  with  impetuous  sweep 
Where  now  but  rills  are  seen  to  creep. 

And  formed  these  vast  alluvions — deep 
' In  fertile  soil. 

LXXIII. 

“And  sing  how  long  these  ramparts  rude,® 
Spread  through  the  western  wilds,  have  stood, 
Extended  wide: 

Whether  some  bold  adventurous  host 
Of  white-men,  wrecked  upon  the  coast, 

Could  this  stupendous  labor  boast; 

— Then  fled  or  died: 

LXXIV. 

“ Or  whether,  whence  old  Ocean  roars 
Round  Asia’s  hyperborean  shores,  * 

The  Tartars  wild 

Here  wandered,  and  these  bulwarks  planned ; 
Till,  pressed  by  some  more  potent  band. 

They  southward  fled — and  found  a land 
More  fair  and  mild; 


E 


34  MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 

LXXV. 

• ** 

- — “ Where,  self-illumed,  from  age  to  age 
Man  from  a savage  to  a sage 

Progressive  grew; 
Where,  undisturbed  by  foreign  foe. 

The  infant  Arts  began  to  grow — 

Till  rose  the  towers  of  Mexico 

And  rich  Peru. 

LXXVI. 

^‘Whoe’er  the  builders  may  have  been — 
How  altered  now  the  forest  scene 

From  early  times! 

The  former  race,  though  rude  yet  brave, 
Perhaps  from  death  their  tribes  to  save, 
Forsook  the  land  their  fathers  gave 
For  other  climes. 

LXXVII. 

Now  ’mid  these  shapeless  mounds  of  soil, 
Thrown  up  with  long  laborious  toil, 

And  want  of  skill; 

A cultivated  landscape  spreads. 

Towns,  villas,  cities  lift  their  heads, 

And  Commerce  her  rich  treasures  leads 
Along  each  rill. 


i. 


MUSE  OF  HESFERIA. 


35 


Lxxviri. 

Where  late  the  war-whoop’s  hideous  sound 
Alone  disturbed  the  silence  round ; i 

Now  thousands  join 
In  sacred  harmony  to  raise 
The  Christian’s  grateful  song  of  praise, 

To  Him  who  beamed  o’er  all  their  ways 
His  light  divine. 

LXXIX. 

Where  late  the  Indian  wigwams  stood, 

Deep  in  the  unbounded  range  of  wood, 
Where  scarce  the  sun 
Could  penetrate  the  twilight-shade ; 

Now  domes  of  science  stand  displayed, 

Where  youths  to  fame,  by  learning’s  aid, 
j Their  journey  run. 

LXXX. 

‘‘  Where  lately  armed  for  deadly  strife 
W^ith  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife. 

The  natives  strove; 

Now  dove-eyed  Peace  triumphant  reigns, 

And  o’er  the  cultivated  plains. 

In  converse  sweet,  gay  nymphs  and  swains 
Delighted  rove. 


36 


MTISE  OF  HESPERIA. 


LXXXL 

— Here  pause ; and  with  prospective  glass 
Behold  new  ages  as  they  pass 

In  long  review: 

Behold  the  various  beasts  of  prey, 

And  red-men  more  untamed  than  they, 

Become  extinct,  or  pass  away 

To  regions  new. 

LXXXII. 

‘‘  See  teeming  cities  rise  beside 
Missouri’s  and  Columbia’s  tide. 

And  where  the  snow 
On  Chipewan’s  high  summit  gleams; 

— Lo!  fields,  and  meads,  and  lakes,  and  streams, 
Now  open  to  the  sun^s  bright  beams. 
Resplendent  glow. 

LXXXIII. 

“ See  turnpikes  and  canals  connect 
Oceans  which  continents  dissect; 

See  Trade  rescind 
The  orders  which  she  gave  before. 

And  bring  from  the  Pacific’s  shore. 

O’er  western  mountains,  to  each  door 
The  stores  of  Ind. 


MUSE  OF,  HESPERIA.  37 

LXXXIY. 

— ‘‘  And  still  to  your  aspiring  song, 

In  common,  other  themes  belong: 

The  fertile  field 

Where  nobler  bards  their  laurels  raise, 

(A  boon  which  all  their  toil  repays) 

As  large  a wreath  of  fadeless  bays 

To  you  may  yield. 

LXXXV. 

‘‘  You,  too,  can  aid  the  noble  task 
Vice  to  expose,  when  she  the  mask 
Of  Virtue  wears; 

From  Scandal’s  shafts  the  good  to  save. 

From  coward-tongues  to  shield  the  brave. 

And  show  the  proud  and  wealthy  knave 
• The  heart  he  bears. 

LXXXVI. 

‘‘You,  too,  can  Virtue’s  laws  maintain, 

Defend  Religion’s  sacred  fane 

’Gainst  atheist-arms; 

And  from  the  cold  o’erclouded  night 

Of  lone  Obscurity,  to  light 

Of  glorious  day,  lead  Genius  bright  ^ 

In  all  his  chairms. 


38  MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 

LXXXVII. 

You,  too,  can  run  each  poet’s  round — 

Can  wander  wide  o’er  classic  ground, 

In  thoughtful  mood, 

Where  famed  Parnassus  towers  on  high, 

Or  Tempe’s  blooming  vallies  lie, 

Or  old  Scamander  murmurs  by 

Where  Ilion  stood. 

LXXXVIII. 

Or  where  on  high  Olympus  nods — 

The  throne  of  goddesses  and  gods — 

Or  Ida  towers 

Aloft;  or  Ossa  strives  to  meet 
The  concave  brigh*t;  or,  at  his  feet. 

Where  Peneus  winds  through  vallies — sweet 

V-  With  fragrant  flowers. 

r' 

LXXXIX. 

“You,  too,  can  gather  flowers  divine 
That  bloom  on  sainted  Palestine;^  - 
Can  trace  the  shore 
Of  sacred  Jordan  to  his  fount. 

Climb  holy  Gilead’s  balmy  mount. 

And  all  the  toils  and  pains  recount 
* The  Prophets  bore. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


39 


XC. 

‘‘  Can  view  the  dead  sulphureous  flood 
Where  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  stood  5 
The  lonely  strand 
Where  Tyre  and  Sidon’s  ruins  lie, 

Where  Nain  and  Nazareth  meet  the  eye, 

Or  Hermon,  Carmel,  Calvary — high 
O’erlook  the  land. 

XCI. 

For  know,  the  Bard  is  Fancy’s  child:. 

— Whate’er  is  grand,  or  strange,  or  wild, 

His  genius  moves; 

His  pathway  lies  o’er  fairy-ground, 

Where  Sylphs  and  Genii  guard  him  round; 

— Through  realms  on  high  and  depths  profound 
His  spirit  roves. 

XCII. 

A hermit  ’midst  the  crowd  of  men, 

Through  Nature’s  works  his  restive  ken 
Excursive  flies: 

Though  on  the  present  moments  cast,  ^ 

He  lives,  in  thought,  through  all  the  past^ 

And  those  to  come,  while  time  shall  last 
To  earth  and  skies. 


40 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XCIII. 

“ He  journies,  careless  of  a path. 

Where  the  rude  tempest  in  its  wrath 
. Spreads  ruin  wide; 

Or  through  the  dense  untrodden  wood— 
Creation’s  gloomiest  solitude; 

O’er  mountains — by  the  cataract-flood — 
Or  ocean-side. 

XCIV. 

‘‘And  learn  this  truth,  my  pupils  dear! 

— Where’er  you  journey,  or  whate’er 
The  plans  you  lay, 

Let  Truth  and  Nature  be  your  guide: 

— The  moment  you  desert  their  side, 
Through  trackless  wilds  you  wander  wide, 
And  lose  your  way. 

xcv. 

“ Who  leaves  their  fire,  to  warm  his  heart 
By  the  cold  dubious  light  of  Art, 

With  gaudy  flowers 
May  please  young  Fancy  for  a time, 

And  charm  with  brilliancy  of  rhyme; 

But  ne’er  can  reach  the  true  sublime, 

With  all  his  powers. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


41 


XCVL 

“ Art  is  the  ignis-fatuus-ray 

That  leads  the  wanderer’s  feet  astray; 

Fancy ^ a gleam; 

— The  meteor  flashes — and  ’tis  gone: 

— But  JVature  is  the  unwearied  sun. 

That  gives  whate’er  he  shines  upon 
A glorious  beam. 

XCVII. 

“’Tis  mine  your  bosoms  to  inspire 
With  Genius’  warmest,  brightest  fire; 

yours^  in  turn — 
While  pressing  for  the  shrine  of  Fame, 
To  swell  her  records  with  each  name — 
To  make  this  heaven-enkindled  flame 
For  ever  burn. 

XCVIIL 

“ To  flatter  title,  birth,  or  state, 

— The  poorly  rich — or  meanly  great — 
Was  never  given 
So  rich  a boon  on  Nature’s  part: 

— Oh,  never  thus  degrade  an  art. 
Designed  to  lift  the  human  heart 

From  earth  to  heaven! 


V 


4^^ 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


XCIX. 

“ Whoe’er  this  sacred  weapon  draws 
’Gainst  Virtue’s  or  Religion’s  cause — 
Though  he  possest 
MaBonides’  and  Maro’s  fire, 

Or  Milton’s  lore,  and  Drjden’s  lyre — 
Thrusts  a keen  dagger  at  his  sire, 

To  pierce  his  breast. 

C. 

‘‘Whoever  weakens  or  destroys 
This  fount,  from  which  the  purest  joys 
' Unceasing  flow; 
Buries  in  earth  a diamond  bright, 

Blots  out  the  sun’s  meridian  light, 

Or  hurls  an  angel  from  his  height 

To  realms  below. 

CL 

“And  envy  not  the  cobweb-wreaths 
That  many  a modern  rhymer  weaves, 
His  brows  to  grace; 
For  these  are  but  Mimosa’s  form 
Amid  Boreas’  wintry  storm, 

Or  hoar-frost  ’mid  the  blushes  warm 
Of  Phoebus’  face. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


43 


CIL 

“ And  e’en  the  well-earned  fame  refuse 
Of  Milton’s,  Pope’s,  and  Thompson’s  muse; 

Though  fresh  shall  bloom 
Their  laurels  in  the  Muse’s  page, 

And  each  historian’s  pen  engage — 

Though  they  themselves  from  age  to  age 
Sleep  in  the  tomb. 

cm. 

‘‘  Nay — copy  not  the  noblest  lays 
Of  ancient  or  of  modern  days: 

— The  genuine  bard 
Dashes  all  rules  of  art  aside, 

And,  taking  Nature  for  his  guide. 

Reaps — as  he  roams  creation  wide — 

A rich  reward. 

CIV. 

“For  what,  my  child,  is  genuine  song? 

— ’Tis  not,  as  Fashion’s  giddy  throng 
So  often  deem, 

The  far-fetched,  witty,  odd  conceit 
Which  all  may  write,  as  all  repeat; 

Nor  number,  measure,  rhyme,  nor  feet 

That  gild  each  theme* 


44 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA- 


CV, 

“ It  is  an  undefined  controul 
That  fires — transports — illumes  the  soul 
With  secret  sway: 

And,  reckless  as  to  phrase  or  form, 

Bursts  forth  in  language  bold  and  warm — 
Like  sunshine  blazing  through  the  storm 
Of  winter’s  day. 

CVL 

“ ’Tis  not  pale  Cynthia’s  feeble  light. 
Faint-glimmering  through  a cheerless  night — 
Cold — s till — profound ; 

’Tis  not  a gloomy  stagnant  lake. 

Whose  sleep  no  babbling  rivulets  break; 

’Tis  not  a breeze  that  scarce  can  wake 
The  echo’s  sound. 

evil. 

It  is  the  brilliant  northern  dawn^ 

In  all  the  changeful  colours  drawn 

That  bards  describe; 

’Tis  now  a river  deep  and  strong 
Rolling  in  majesty  along; 

Anon,  a whirlwind  ’mid  the  throng 
Of  Flora’s  tribe. 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA*  45 

CVIIL 

’Tis  now  the  thunder’s  awful  roar, 

Borne  by  ten  thousand  echoes  o’er 

The  vault  of  heaven 
Now,  the  swift  lightning’s  vivid  rays. 

As  o’er  the  clouds  it  lambent  plays; 

Anon,  the  dread  volcano’s  blaze. 

With  fury  driven. 

CIX. 

“ ’Tis  now  the  pine’s  majestic  form,  - 
Which,  heedless  of  the  winter’s  storm, 

. Is  seen  to  bloom 
From  age  to  age  in  youthful  prime; 

And  now  a pyramid  sublime, 

That  falls  but  with  the  fall  of  Time, 

And  shares  his  tomb.' 

CX. 

She  ceased. — Around  her  sainted  head 
An  arrowy  sphere  of  radiance  spread,  , 
Intensely  bright; 

And,  mounting  high  on  wings  of  wind, 

She  soared  through  ether  unconfined 
And  left  a brilliant  trace  behind. 

Of  vivid  light. 


46 


MUSE  OF  HESPERIA. 


CXI. 

S:),  sinking  in  the  western  main, 

Far  up  the  heaven  a lucid  train 

Bright  Sol  displays: 
So,  darting  through  exterior  skies 
In  crimson  paths,  the  fire-ball  flies, 

And  for  a moment  dims  our  eyes 

With  dazzling  blaze. 

CXII. 

A holy  silence  reigned  around — 

And,  as  I left  the  enchanted  ground 

Where  late  she  stood, 
Diviner  spirits  hovered  there. 

More  fragrant  breathed  the  balmy  air, 
And  the  full  moon  showed  doubly  fair 
Ohio’s  flood. 


4' 


NOTES 


NOTE  I. 

And  is  not  Shelby,  too,  your  boast 

A reference  has  inadvertently  been  placed  at  the  name  of  Shelbt— 
a name  already  too  well  known  to  require  the  elucidation  of  a note. 

NOTE  II. 

“ And  Johnson,  dauntless  in  the  field?"* 

Colonel  Richard  M.  Johnson,  of  Kentucky,  distinguished  for  his 
ardent  patriotism  and  efficient  services  during  the  late  war,  and  par- 
ticularly for  his  gallant  charge  at  the  head  of  the  mounted  regiment  at 
the  battle  of  the  Thames,  5th  Oct.  1813, 

NOTE  III. 

“ And  Owen  brave,  voho  scorned  to  yields 

Who  "with  his  blood  his  prowess  sealed , 

And  nobly  died?* 

Colonel  Abraham  Owen,  distinguished  in  the  early  Indian  wars  in 
Kentucky.  Previous  to  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  he  joined  the  army 
of  Governor  Harrison,  as  a volunteer  in  the  ranks,  and  accepted  the 
place  of  Volunteer  Aid.  He  fell  at  Tippecanoe,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  action. 

' G 


50 

NOTE  IV. 

And  you  can  gallant  Jesup  claim. 

Who  robed  in  glory'^s  ‘ sheet  of  flame’ 

Victorious  fought.'*^ 

By  the  following  extract  from  General  Brown’s  offlcial  report  of  the 
battle  of  Bridgewater,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  ‘ sheet  of  fiatne^  which 
might  otherwise  pass  for  a fiction  of  poetry,  is  an  historical  fact : — 
“ About  the  time  Colonel  Miller  carried  the  enemy’s  cannon,  the  25th 
regiment,  under  Major  Jesup,  was  engaged  in  a more  obstinate  con- 
flict with  all  that  remained  to  dispute  with  us  the  field  of  battle^  The 
Major,  as  has  already  been  stated,  had  been  ordered  by  General  Scott, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  to  take  ground  to  the  right.  He 
had  succeeded  in  turning  the  enemy’s  left  flank — had  captured  (by 
a detachment  under  Captain  Ketchum)  General  Riall  and  sundry  other 
officers,  and  showed  himself  again  to  his  own  army  in  a blaze  of 
FIRE,  which  defeated  or  destroyed  a superior  force  of  the  enemy.” 

NOTE  V. 

Yours,  too,  the  young,  the  generous  Hart.” 

Captain  Nathaniel  Hart,  a native  of  Kentucky,  who  at  an  early 
age  fell  a lamented  victim  in  what  may  be  styled  by  pre-eminence  The 
Massacre — which  will  for  ever  cause  the  field  of  battle  at  the  River 
Raisin  to  be  remembered  as  a Field  of  Blood.  The  melancholy  fate 
of  this  enthusiast  warrior,  so  distinguished  for  chivalrous  courage,  and 
for  the  milder  virtues  of  the  heart  so  loved  wherever  known,  resulted 
from  the  confidence  he  reposed  in  the  assurances  which  he  received 
from  Captain  Elliot,  of  the  British  army — with  whom  he  had  been  in- 
timately acquainted  in  Kentucky.  In  addition  to  this  assurance  of  safety 
from  the  Indians,  Captain  Elliot  pledged  his  honour,  that  he  should  on 
the  morrow  be  conveyed  in  his  own  cariole  to  Fort  Malden.  Instead  of 
receiving  the  promised  protection  and  conveyance,  he  was  sacrificed  to 
appease  the  contention  of  savages  for  his  person. 

“ And  yours  the  pride  and  grief  to  tell 
How  Pike  and  Daviess  fought  and  feUP 

Joseph  Hamilton  Daviess,  who  fell  at  Tippecanoe,  was  a native  of 
Kentucky,  He  was  a man  of  fine  talents  and  indefatigable  industiy® 


51 


He  stood  among  the  foremost  in  Kentucky  in  the  profession  of  the  law  t 
military  tactics  were,  however,  his  favourite  study.  Understanding 
that  General  Han'ison  was  authorized  to  march  against  the  Indians  on 
the  Wabash,  Colonel  Daviess  with  a few  volunteers  w^ent  to  join  his 
standard,  and  was  immediately  a])pointed,  by  the  General,  Colonel  of 
Dragoons.  He  was  mortally  wounded  during  the  action,  and  died  a 
short  time  after  its  close. 

NOTE  VI. 

gg..K — ..o’er  the  plain  on  yonder  Her 

Whose  corse  is  borne  ? 

«!:  ♦ 

’TVs  Trimble’s  ■” 

Colonel  William  A.  Trimble,  late  of  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States  from  the  state  of  Ohio,  was  a native  of  Kentucky.  He  received 
a wound  in  the  sortie  from  Fort  Erie  on  the  15th  of  August,  1815,  of 
which  wound  he  died  at  Washington  in  the  winter  of  1821-22, 

NOTE  VII. 

“ Descend^  a hundred  hills  beneath^ 

Where,  dark  as  night  and  still  as  death. 

Yon  cave  appears.’^ 

Alluding  to  the  numerous  and  extensive  caverns  in  Kentucky  and 
other  parts  of  the  western  country ; and  moreover,  to  the  several  mum- 
mies found  therein:  one  of  which  {a  female)  is  deposited  in  the 
Cabinet  of  the  American  Antiquarian  Society. — Vide  Archaologim 
Americana,  Vol.  /. 

NOTE  VIII. 

“ Sing  horw  the  soil  tvhich  now  we  tread 

Was  once  the  ocean* s coral  bed*^ 

That  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  extending  from  the  range  of  the 
Alleghany  mountains  on  the  east,  to  that  of  the  Chipewan  on  the  west ; 
and  from  the  great  chain  of  Lakes  on  the  north,  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
on  the  south,  was  the  bed  of  an  ocean  at  a comparatively  late  period  of 
the  world — has  been  rendered  mifficiently  probable  from  a geo- 


logical  examination  of  this  extensive  region.  For  the  different  theories 
respecting  the  causes  which  operated  to  withdraw  this  vast  body  of 
water,  and  at  a subsequent  period  to  pour  such  overwhelming  torrents 
from  the  north  along  the  vallies  of  the  smallest  as  well  as  the  largest 
rivers  and  creeks,  as  is  indicated  by  the  water-worn  debris  observable 
almost  to  the  summits  of  the  bordering  hills — see  Dr,  Drake^s  Pic- 
ture of  Cincinnati^  and  Hayden's  Geological  Essays, 

NOTE  IX. 

And  sing  hoiv  long  these  ramparts  rude. 

Spread  through  the  ‘western  wilds,  have  stoodP 

For  conjectures  respecting  the  Ancient  Works  of  the  western  coun- 
try, and  the  origin,  history  and  final  destiny  of  their  authors-«see  Cla- 
vigero'^s  Hist,  JVLex, — Humboldt's  Trav,~-*Dr,  Barton^s  Letter  to  Dr, 
Priestly  in  Trans.  Amer,  Phil,  Soc,  Vol.  IF. — Dr.  Drake^s  Pic.  Cin. — 
Breckenridge‘'s  View  of  Louisiana. — Dr.  JHitcheWs  Letters  to  Sec, 
Amer.  Antiq.  Soc. — and  Description  of  the  Antiquities  of  the  Western 
States,  by  Caleb  Atwater. 


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